If a disaster were to strike in your community which left you and your family without electricity, would you have enough non-perishable food items to keep nourished until help arrived, potentially 72 hours later?
Last week the second annual Disaster Dining Challenge, organized by the Canadian Red Cross in association with Walmart, took place in Sault Ste. Marie where teams were left with unknown food items to prepare a meal in 30 minutes without the use of electricity and running water.
The challenge demonstrates what you would likely prepare for meals for yourself and your family in times of emergency. In this challenge, four teams (Sault Search and Rescue, Sault Walmart, SSM Paramedics and the Red Cross) had to come up with an entree and dessert which were judged on taste and presentation.
Take a look at the teams’ culinary contributions to Disaster Dining (courtesy Sault Online):
And here are some photos from the recent Disaster Dining Challenge:
Team SSM Paramedics use what they were given to create a meal and a dessert for the judges
Teams prepare for the Disaster Dining Challenge with no electricity or running water and using only the ingredients provided
Big thank you to the judges (Lou Turco Ward 4 councillor, Pat Mick Ward 3 councillor, Rocco Celetti, Sault Fire Services fire prevention officer, Lauren Perry, Sault Ste. Marie community emergency management coordinator and Roger Lord, from the office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management)!
Walmart kicks off its fundraising campaign August 7th to 29th in support of the Red Cross Disaster Relief program with special events in stores and donations at cash registers! Stop in a Walmart store in your community and support local disaster relief initiatives.
For more information on being prepared in times of disaster, visit www.redcross.ca/beready.